“There will be no program cuts to public education, Medicaid for our families most in need, nor our core public safety services. We did not kick our budget problems to local governments by reducing payments to cities, counties or towns," the governor was quoted as saying in a press release.

Drivers can expect nighttime lane closures on I-66 next week at US 15, weather permitting, for crews to install overhangs on girders for the new southbound US 15 overpass, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Lane closures for milling and paving will continue nightly on portions of Featherstone Road and Blackburn Road from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 6, and from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Governor Terry McAuliffe Sept. 28 recognized businesses for their ongoing commitment to creating employment opportunities for Virginia’s veterans at the Virginia Workforce conference, hosted by the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. The 669 Virginia businesses certified under the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program hired over 18,000 veterans, doubling the private sector commitment in a year.

A surge in school breakfasts served in Prince William County Public Schools puts the School Division on track to meet Virginia’s Breakfast Challenge, an initiative championed by Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, who will be at Potomac View Elementary School in Woodbridge on Oct. 4 to highlight PWCS' success and to kick off a state campaign to draw attention to the importance of school breakfast programs.

Each year the Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates offer a page program open to 13- and 14-year-olds during the Virginia General Assembly. Pages assist legislators and staff with daily duties during the session in January and February. The deadline for these programs is Oct. 17. PWC Del. Richard Anderson also offers a Future Delegate program. Students spend one full day in Richmond with him, observing the legislative process. He will release details soon on how students may apply.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, Prince William County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will host a social action forum to educate and empower the community on four timely topics. This information packed, free forum will be from 10 a.m. to noon at First Baptist Church of Manassas, 9258 Center Street, Manassas.

Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke City) has introduced his first piece of legislation for the upcoming 2017 session. HJ 541 calls for a constitutional amendment that will allow for "public" primaries. Rasoul says this reform of the election process will help limit partisanship in both campaigns and government.